Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-02-05
where 10 Your Place.

A place for every man, and every man
in his placed This motto is as good for
Christ's Church, as it was for the army
during the war; But what is every
Christians right place7
We answer it is the one for which God
made him, and for which the Holy
Spirit converted him. To mistake it is
sad blundcr; to desert it is disgrace.
The Bible acknowledges that God made
His servants for some especial 'niche;"
for it says 'having the gift differing
according to the grace that is given US
let US wait on our ministering; or he
that teacheth OF teaching; or he that
exhorted on exhortation; he that giveth
let him do it with simplicity; he that
ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth
mercy, with cheeriulness. The prlnci-
pie laid down here is that every man OF
woman who loves Je.us should select,
and should fill that post OF duty for
which his or her gifts have fitted them.
Blu. 'let no man neglect the gift that is
in him."
Some men--like spurgeon and New
man Hall and Bishop Simpson-wcre
created for the pulpit. God gave them
clear heads, worm hearts, strong lungs
and eloquent tongues, and a hunger for
saving souls. To possess such gifts is a
clear call to the ministry. And thou
sands of humble preachers who cannot
attract 6purgeon's crowds, are yet as
clearly called TO the ministry of the Word
as the London Boanargcs.
Suppose q man or woman feel--after
deep prayer or determination
that God has not called them
to the pulpit what then
Must they be silent7 Are all the speak
ing gifts Of the pious lawyer, or doctor,
or merchant, or mechanic to run to
waste2 No, verilyl Let such proclaim
the glad tidings of Christ, and the story
Of their own Christian experience in the
prayer-meeting, or the mission school, or
fhe cottage conference meeting, or
wherever they can find souls to plead
with. How successfully this lay-labor
may be made, let such men as Harlan
Page and Richard Weaver and George
H. Stuart and D. L. Moody and Uncle
Johnny Vassar bear witness. Let the
powerful lay preaching heard every day
in Fulton street, answer. Some Of
the best discourses / have ever heard
were but five or ten minutes long. and
were delivered in my own prayer meet
ing.
A Christian who is keen for work,
will soon find his place. If he is ''apt
TO teach, /" he or she will soon gather the
6abbath-school class, anil will be there,
Bible in hand, every Sunday, even
though tho rain spatters on the pave
ments. Commend me to the teacher
who wears waterproof and always
consults conscience sooner than the
barometer
Whoever has the gift of song should
join in Gods great choir, at every re-
igious service. The owner Of good
voice must give an account for that
voice at the day Of judgment. We shall
never have genuine congregational singing
until every redeemed child OF Christ
sings from duty, and consecrates tho
gift Of music to the Lord. Those who
expect to sing in heaven had better
practice here.
Tract-distribution is going too
much out of fashion. It IL
blessed and heaven honorcd
work, and any one with spare time and
tongue and little pious tact, can 20
out with a bundle Of tracks TO the abodes
Of ignorance and irreligion.
Those who cannot exhort or teach in a
Sunday School, can at least live for
Jesus at home aud como snd join IN the
prayers Of the praycr-meeting. Tho
old est, the timidest, the least gifted can
do surely as much as add his penny
when the contribution-box IL passed.
The gift Of ''cup Of cold WATER in
Christs name has its reward. Every
one whom Jesus saves has place as
signed in the vineyard. An Idle Chris
tian is monsterl Fricndl have you
found your place7-Rev. Theodore /.
[uylsy.
Christians are OFTEN employed IN dig.